ICC welcomes 35 new faces to the football program

FULTON, MS – The Itawamba Community College football coaching staff welcome 35 new faces to the program on Wednesday, the first day of the national signing period.

"It's always an exciting day when you bring new guys into your program," said Coach Sean Cannon. "We felt like we were able to get some guys that wanted to be Indians."

ICC had 15 of the 17 sophomores and one freshman sign to continue their football careers from last year's squad that finished 4-5 and 4-2 in the North before missing out on the playoffs due to tiebreaker rules for the third time in the past four seasons.

"We didn't have very many we needed to sign this year because we have a good bit returning, but I think we filled some good holes for next season. We are anxious to get these guys here because it will be August before we know it."

Matt Allen (5'10, 175) – P – Ripley HS

Punted 28 times for 1,031 yards in 13 games for the Tigers in 2014. Two of his punts landed inside the 20. He also recorded 11 tackles and forced a fumble.

Dee Armstead (6'2, 185) – WR – Winona HS

Armstead had 12 receptions for 197 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games for the Tigers this season. He also had 11 carries for 28 yards and defensively recorded 9 total tackles and one interception that he returned for a touchdown.

Abraham Austin (6'6, 345) – OL – Olive Branch HS

Austin heled anchor an offensive lineman that lead the Olive Branch Conquistadors to 1,958 rushing yards and 1,451 yards through the air during his senior campaign.

Weston Bobo (6'2, 185) – QB – Kossuth HS

Bobo completed 104 passes for 1,399 yards with 15 touchdowns and had 149 carries for 970 yards and six touchdowns. He ran for more than 100 yards in three games of his 13 games he started for the Aggies.

Dontavis Bruce (5'8, 175) – RB/WR – Olive Branch HS

Bruce rushed 95 times for 803 yards, eight touchdowns, and had 29 catches for 355 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games for the Conquistadors this season.

Kaelon Collins (6'5, 240) – WR – West Point HS

Collins played in 10 games for the Green Wave and recorded 18 catches for 236 yards and three touchdowns.

Nathan Cox (6'0, 280) – OL – Tupelo HS

Cox was a key piece of the offensive line that led the Golden Wave to 3,408 rushing yards and 1,133 yards through the air.

Kamdon Edwards (6'0, 185) – LB – South Panola HS  

In 14 games for the Tigers, Edwards recorded 46 total tackles, included nine for losses and four interceptions.

Zach Ellis (6'2, 178) – K – Tupelo HS

Ellis, who also signed to play soccer at ICC, hit 15-16 extra points in six games for the Golden Wave in 2014.

Kadarius Forside (5'11, 205) – RB – West Point HS

Forside had 91 carries for 774 yards and 14 touchdowns in 10 games for the West Point Green Wave.

Dorian Gatson (6'3, 185) – ATH – Ripley HS

Gatson had 30 receptions for 574 yards, nine touchdowns and 41 carries for 280 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games for the Ripley Tigers. Also recorded 33 tackles and one interception during his season.

Chakel Gates (6'0, 175) – WR/DB – Calhoun City HS

Gates completed 60 passes for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing 184 times for 1,324 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Wildcats. He ran for more than 100 yards in seven games and defensively, recorded 14 tackles and one interception.

Tavonta Hadley (5'10, 180) – RB – Tupelo HS

In 12 games for the Golden Wave, Hadley had 168 carries for 1,017 yards, seven touchdowns, and 12 receptions for 192 yards.

Keyon Higgins (6'3, 195) – WR/TE – Starkville HS

Higgins had 19 receptions for 361 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games for the Yellowjackets.

Isaiah Howard (6'3, 205) – WR – Ripley HS

In 13 games for the Tigers, Howard had 74 receptions for 1,223 yard and 15 touchdowns. He also return 11 kickoffs for 170 yards and defensively recorded 58 tackles.

Centerio Jones (6'3, 275) – OL – Horn Lake HS

Jones was a key piece of the offensive line that led Horn Lake to 3,021 passing yards and 935 rushing yards last season.

Reid Kelly (6'0, 190) – ATH – Germantown HS

Kelly helped the Mavericks in every aspect of the game in 12 games with 13 carries for 86 yards, two touchdowns, 32 receptions for 566 yards, seven touchdowns and 24 tackles. He also punted the ball 45 times for 1,637 yards, and landed 18 inside the 20 yard line.

Deon Knox (5'11, 180) – DB – Grenada HS

Knox had 89 carries for 639 yards, six touchdowns and three catches for 26 yards in 12 games for the Chargers last season.

Tyler Logan (5'11, 190) – LB – West Point HS

Logan recorded 32 tackles in eight games for the Green Wave in 2014. He also picked up two touchdowns on six carries for five yards.

David Little (5'10, 160) – DB/WR – Saltillo HS

Little shined on both sides of the ball in 12 games for the Saltillo Tigers. Defensively he recorded 40 tackles, grabbed five interceptions and forced one fumble. On offense, he had six carries for 27 yards and 38 receptions for 683 yards and eight touchdowns.

Jadarius Little (6'3, 305) – OL – Horn Lake HS

Little helped anchor an offensive line that paved the way for 3,021 passing yards and 935 yards rushing last season. He also played in two games for the Eagles but recorded one tackle and recovered a fumble.

Octavius Matthews (6'1, 180) – ATH – North Jackson HS (AL)

In 11 games for the Chiefs, Matthews carried the ball 156 times for 1,773 yards picking up 26 touchdowns on the ground. Also, he had 15 receptions for 356 yards and four touchdowns. He shined on special teams as well as he returned three kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns.

Brennan McCormick (6'5, 280) – OL – Lewisburg HS

McCormick anchored an offensive line that helped the Patriots' offense pick up 2,937 yards through the air and 2,092 on the ground over 12 games.

Devin McDonald (6'2, 280) – OL – Smithville HS

McDonald was a key offensive lineman that led the Seminoles to 2,198 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns last season.

DC Olton (6'0, 195) – DB – Winona HS

In 9 games last season, Olton recorded 19 tackles, but also helped the Tigers on offense with 66 carries for 625 yards, seven rushing touchdowns, and eight receptions for 125 yards and four touchdowns.

Zach Pridmore (6'3, 255) – OL – Baldwyn HS

Pridmore helped lead the Bearcats to an 11-2 record on the offensive line that helped them to 3,395 rushing yards and 1,385 passing yards in 12 games.

Juan Robinson (6'0, 220) – LB – Greenwood HS

Robinson recorded 68 tackles, two quarterback sacks and one interception in his senior season for the Bulldogs.

Dqmarcus Shaw (6'4, 290) – OL – South Panola HS

Shaw was a key part of the offensive line that helped the Tigers to 4,117 rushing yards, 2,192 passing yards, a perfect 15-0 record and the 6A State Title.

Cody Shelton (6'1, 205) – LB/DB – Ripley HS

Shelton played in 13 games for the Tigers and recorded 46 tackles and forced two fumble defensively. On the offensive side of the ball he had 13 receptions for 240 yards and three touchdowns.

Tamarcus Silvers (6'3, 185) – WR – Noxubee County HS

Silvers had 36 receptions for 669 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games for the 4A state champion Tigers.

Matthew Stewart (6'1, 180) – LS – Kossuth HS

Stewart played in 13 games for Aggies, he had 25 carries for 184 yards, five rushing touchdowns, 25 receptions for 365 yards and two touchdowns. He also recorded 119 total tackles, one interception and two forced fumbles.

Tucker Wammack (5'10, 178) – WR – Lewisburg HS  

Wammack was a favorite target for the Patriots with 50 receptions for 894 yards and found the end zone 14 times.

Jaylan White (63, 230) – DL – West Point HS

White only played in four games for the Green Wave but recorded 14 tackles.

Josh Williams (5'9, 195) – QB – Aberdeen HS

Williams led the Bulldogs to the third round of playoffs in 2014. Finished 148-237 for 2,492 passing yards and 21 touchdowns in 14 games. He also rushed the 165 times for 891 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns.

Kenny Wooten III (6'1, 235) – DL – Meridian HS

Wooten played in 12 games for the Wildcats and recorded 31 total tackles and recovered a fumble for a touchdown.

For more information on the Indians, follow ICC Athletics on Twitter (@LetsGoICC).